Arts Law’s Charter of Service

Who we are

The Arts Law Centre of Australia (Arts Law) is Australia’s only community legal centre for the arts. Our mission is to empower artists and creative communities through the law. Arts Law is guided by the values of excellence, accessibility, empowerment of artists, integrity, collaboration and innovation.

What we do

Arts Law provides free or low cost specialised legal advice, education and resources to Australian artists and arts organisations across all art forms, on a wide range of arts related legal and business matters. Arts Law’s Artists in the Black program delivers targeted services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists nationally.

Who can access our services/ who is eligible for help?

You are eligible for advice from Arts Law if you are an artist or an arts organisation and your query relates to your arts practice.

When determining whether to advise you on a matter, Arts Law exercises discretion by giving consideration to at least three factors:

1. Is the matter arts-related?
2. Does the matter fall within one of Arts Law’s areas of expertise?
3. Are you in a financial situation which would preclude you from obtaining legal advice elsewhere?

Arts Law must ensure that we are not precluded from giving legal advice because of a conflict of interest and must decline to advise you if there is such a conflict.

What clients can expect from our service?

• Responsiveness.
• To be treated with courtesy and respect.
• Confidentiality and privacy in accordance with our privacy policy.
• Accessibility.
• Professionalism and quality.
• Accountability (we will monitor our services, guidelines, and respond to feedback and evaluation)

What do we ask of clients?

We ask that people using Arts Law’s services will:

• Treat Arts Law’ staff with respect and courtesy.
• Inform us of any special accessibility requirements to access our service.
• Let us know if something changes for you.
• Respond to requests for information in a timely manner.
• Understand limits on our services.
• Tell us if you have concerns with our services, if there are improvements we could make (and better still if you had a good experience).

Compliments and General Suggestions for Improvement

If you have had a positive experience with Arts Law or would like to provide feedback to improve our services you can complete our evaluation survey or send your feedback directly to the staff member who handled your query.

Concerns and Complaints

If you are not satisfied or have any concerns or suggestions about Arts Law’s services please contact the person who dealt with your matter to resolve the issue. If you do not believe that this person can resolve your issue please contact Arts Law’s Chief Executive Officer. You can make your complaint by telephone +61 2 9356 2566 or 1800 221 457 (toll-free) or by email to [email protected].

Alternatively complaints about legal services can be made to:

Office of the Legal Services Commissioner
Level 15, Goodsell Building (Cnr Elizabeth, Phillip and Hunter Streets), Sydney NSW 2000
Post: GPO Box 4460, Sydney, 2001
Phone: +61 2 9377 1800 or 1800 242 958
Fax: +61 2 9377 1888

Contact Information

For Legal Advice

To receive legal advice please complete our online legal query form. If your circumstances prevent you from accessing our online form, please contact us via email, post or phone for assistance.

For General Enquiries

Email      [email protected]

Phone    +61 2 9356 2566 or 1800 221 457 (toll-free)

National Relay Service

Clients who are deaf or have a hearing or speech impairment can call through the National Relay Service.

TTY or computer with modem users phone 133 677 then ask for (02) 9356 2566.

Speak and Listen (speech to speech relay) users phone 1300 555 727 then ask for (02) 9356 2566.

Toll-free

TTY or computer with modem users phone 1800 555 677 then ask for 1800 221 457.

Speak and listen (speech to speech relay) users phone 1800 555 727 then ask for 1800 221 457.